Ealing comedian and musician Rainer Hersch, who has performed on almost every major comedy stage in Britain and abroad, is the brains behind Classic Relief. The gala comedy concert, held in support of Comic Relief, is being held at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on March 7.

Rainer says: "We aim to make a significant amount of money for Red Nose Day 2009 and along the way show that classical music can be exciting and accessible to the widest possible audience. Our message is that classical music is for everyone."

He will be joined by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Alfred Brendel, Nicola Benedetti, Evelyn Glennie, Loré Lixenberg and Paul Lewis in an evening of affectionate swipes at some of the world's best-loved music.

Best known for his BBC series All Classical Music Explained, Rainer Hersch has been poking fun at the quirky world of classical music since 1996. He has provided answers to those perennial questions: 'Why is organ music so boring?' and 'What do conductors actually do?'

Rainer started his working life in musical arts management but began moonlighting as a stand-up comedian on the London carbaret circuit.

He has combined his skills as a stand-up comedian with his career as a conductor to present comedy programmes with orchestras around the world. He appeared 12 times at the Edinburgh Festival, had numerous comedy-concert series at the South Bank and featured in comedy clubs across Europe and in TV shows.

* Tickets for Classic Relief at the Royal Festival Hall on Saturday, March 7, are available on 0871 663 2500.